Pride offers incentives for season-ticket holders if team can’t play home matches
Orlando Pride executive vice president Amanda Duffy sent an email to season-ticket holders outlining options for the supporters as the NWSL prepares to stage a 25-game tournament in Utah.
While the NWSL has not officially canceled all home games, it remains a possibility as the league grapples with how to safely stage matches around the country during the coronavirus pandemic.
If any of the Orlando’s 12 home games during the 2020 season are canceled, moved to a different site or played without fans, Duffy stated the Pride will automatically roll the value of that match over to the ticket holder’s account for 2021 season.
The club also is creating a season-ticket holder rewards package — which could include anything from discounted merchandise to digital experiences — if home matches are called off.
“Our staff has been very engaged with our season ticket members,” Duffy wrote. “We continue to work with them and keep them informed on where the league is with the decision and what options may be available to them as it relates to 2020 and even 2021.”
Although the Pride didn’t offer a refund option, Duffy pledged to work with season-ticket holders “to find an appropriate solution” if they required financial assistance.
When the league first halted play due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, NWSL and Pride officials remained hopeful teams could still play the full 2020 season. In April, Duffy said she had full faith in the league’s ability to play a full slate of 24 games.
The NWSL Challenge Cup set to kick off in late June will be played without spectators. The Orlando Pride could compete in as many as seven games in the closed door tournament, although every game will be streamed on CBS All-Access.
If the league plays matches after the conclusion of the Utah tournament, it remains unclear whether those would be open to spectators.
“It’s still to be determined, but certainly don’t look at this tournament right now as being the 2020 week season in its entirety,” Duffy said during a videoconference with reporters Wednesday. “[There’s] still discussion around what will come with the 2020 league season. We’re certainly still trying to prioritize that. We hope to have some competition beyond this tournament.”
Duffy’s letter to season-ticket holders thanked them for their support and stressed they will be needed when the Pride are finally clear to play home matches in front of fans.